Looking for the highest-quality tools? Ask the rental companies.

By Van Mark Products Corporation.  

Learn how Van Mark is the brake brand that rental companies trust. 

Several years ago, our team at Van Mark Products Corporation was approached by a national company that rents tools across the country. They were looking to grow their offering of specialty tools, like siding brakes, for trade professionals and DIY homeowners alike. In researching popular brakes used by other rental businesses, they found that they all used Van Mark brakes. Though this company acknowledged the incomparable durability each Van Mark product has, as proven by their use in other rental businesses, they ended up going with the lowest price option rather than the highest quality. They quickly learned the consequences of prioritizing the lowest price alone.  

The same company reconnected with our team only a few short years later and shared the disappointing results of their initial choice. The lower cost option came with a high cost of ownership and maintenance, with many tools frequently requiring adjustments or replacement parts. They realized their attempt to cut costs backfired and were ready to make the switch to Van Mark. 

The company replaced every brake in every rental store across the country with a Van Mark brake. Now armed with the more durable and higher quality products, the time between replacements has extended substantially, allowing the company to earn more profit from the same tool over time. Today, this company still only buys Van Mark brakes for their rental stores.  

What does this mean for you? 

Well, it proves that our brakes are built rental-tough, and when properly cared for, can easily last for decades. This allows them to pay for themselves, numerous times over. Plus, it demonstrates that the maintenance requirements on our cam-locking brakes are far less than you may expect. Rental tools are often far more abused and neglected by renters, and they are commonly used improperly due to the lack of experience with the correct operation. So, brakes live their hardest life in a rental fleet. Imagine the lifespan of a Van Mark brake that is properly cared for. 

Here are some of the key reasons why we are the #1 rental brake brand: 

1 - Quality and durability 

• They rarely fail on their own — most repairs are due to damage. 
• Rental customers don’t take care of them, yet they stand up to the abuse. 

2 - Ease of use 

• Fully featured, so a professional can take advantage of the brake’s full capabilities. 
• Easy to learn, which makes it great for DIY or first-time users. 
• Provides consistent and professional-level quality of work. 

3 - Parts readily available 

• They still offer replacement part solutions for almost all our brakes since 1964. 
• Made in the USA, so replacement parts can be sourced quickly. 
• Many fasteners are designed to use common sizes, readily available at a local hardware store. 
• Wear items are inexpensive and are also available in a complete tune-up kit. 

4 - Minimal maintenance requirements 

• No adjustments to reset after rental use. 
• Few adjustments for renter to accidentally adjust out of the specified range. 
• Easy to clean. 

5 - ROI 

• Reduced maintenance and cleaning time required upon rental return. 
• Low-cost replacement and wear parts. 
• Fair purchase price.  

To summarize, if you want to know which tools are the best investment, check out what the rental stores carry. These tools see the worst operation and treatment yet endure to serve their next renter. 

Original article and photo source: Van Mark Products Corporation